What is the Difference Between Extract and Essential Oil

The main difference between extract and essential oil is that extract oil does not have a strong aroma, while essential oil has a strong aroma.

Extracts and essential oils are two popular methods of obtaining the beneficial compounds present in various plants. While both have a variety of applications, there are some fundamental differences between the two.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Extract Oil
      – Definition, Function 
2. What is Essential Oil
      – Definition, Function
3. Similarities – Extract and Essential Oil
      – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Extract and Essential Oil
      – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Aetheroleum, Extract Oil, Essential Oil, Ethereal Oil, Volatile Oil

What is Extract Oil

Extract oil is taken after straining plant materials from a liquid. Oil is extracted from fleshy fruits such as olive and palm and oilseeds such as cotton seeds, sesame seeds, and soya beans. There are several ways of extracting oil. One of these methods is rendering. In this method, people use oleaginous fruits. Another method is mechanical pressing. This method is applied for oil-bearing seeds and nuts and extracting with volatile solvents. Most oil-bearing seeds and nuts are broken up by grinding, flaking, or rolling. Then, they undergo the process of mechanical pressing to liberate the oil.

The antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-browning properties of naturally extracted oils are often used to prevent spoilage in food products. At the same time, manufacturers use extracted oil in food production. For example, they use plant extracts to make children’s foods more effective. When the extraction moves compounds from one liquid to another, it helps manipulate or concentrate the extract. It also enables the selective removal of components in a mixture.

What is Essential Oil

Essential oil refers to a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile chemical compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, and aetheroleum. They contain the fragrance of plants. Generally, essential oils are extracted by distillation, often by using steam. In addition, there are other processes that include expression, solvent extraction, absolute oil extraction, resin tapping, and cold pressing. These extractions are used in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps, air fresheners and other products.

Manufacturers also use essential oils for flavouring food and drink and adding scents to incense and household cleaning products. Another benefit of essential oils is that they are used for aromatherapy, a method that has been used as a form of alternative medicine. In this form, healing effects are attributed to aromatic compounds. Aromatherapy is useful to tempt relaxation. On the other hand, inappropriate use or application of essential oils may cause harm to the skin, like allergic reactions and skin irritation. Essential oils have the potential to be toxic if absorbed through the skin, particularly in children who may be more susceptible to the harmful effects of incorrect usage.

Similarities Between Extract and Essential Oil

• Extract oil and essential oil are extracted by distilling.
• Both extract oil and essential oil help to flavour foods and drinks.
• They contain antioxidant properties.

Difference Between Extract and Essential Oil

Definition

Extract oil is oil taken after straining off plant materials from the liquid, while the essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile chemical compounds from plants.

Usage

Although essential oils are used to produce perfumes, cosmetics, soaps, and air fresheners, extract oil is only used for food production.

Concentration

While essential oils are purely concentrated, extract oils are diluted.

Fragrance

Essential oil contains fragrance, whereas extract oil does not contain fragrance.

Preparation

Although extract oils are easy to prepare, essential oils are not easy to prepare. It needs a proper environment, equipment, and machinery.

Amount

Producing a small quantity of essential oil requires a large amount of plant material, whereas the extraction of oil does not necessitate a high volume of plant material for the process.

Conclusion

In brief, extracts and essential oils are two popular methods of obtaining the beneficial compounds present in various plants. The main difference between extract and essential oil is that extract oil does not have a strong aroma, while essential oil has a strong aroma.

Reference:

1. “Oil Extraction.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 
2. “Essential oil.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Three Essential Oil Bottles” (CC0) via Pexels
2. “Oil Extract” (CC0) via Pixabay